Abstract

Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea) is a major food as well as cash crop for the smallholder farmers in Mpumalanga province of South Africa. The groundnut yield under smallholder environment is low due to several biotic and abiotic production constraints. Foliar diseases cause considerable yield reduction and chemical control is beyond the capabilities of the smallholder farmers. None of the groundnut varieties released in South Africa has resistance against the foliar disease complex of early leaf spot (Cercospora arachidicola), late leaf spot (Cercosporidium personatum) and rust (Puccinia arachidis). Studies to identify locally adapted foliar disease resistant varieties commenced in 1991 by DALA with the evaluation of elite lines obtained from ICRISAT. Although initial studies showed significant resistance to foliar diseases, the kernel yield of the varieties was significantly lower due to poor pod filling. 129 short-duration, drought resistant and foliar disease resistant elite lines/germplasm from ICRISAT were evaluated during 2000-04. Fifteen outstanding varieties from these were selected for further evaluation and this paper presents the performance of these varieties evaluated during 2004-2006 under the smallholder environment in Mpumalanga. The results from research-managed and farmer-managed trials across the province showed the yield potential of the foliar disease resistant variety ICGV98369. ICGVSM99529 selected for resistance to groundnut rosette disease in Malawi was the most outstanding followed by ICGV96294 among the short-duration and drought tolerant varieties evaluated. The information generated from this study is expected to enhance sustainability of smallholder cropping systems in Mpumalanga Province and similar environments across South Africa. The programme was funded by the Groundnut Development Trust, South Africa.